Discuss the recovery and aftermath of landfalling hurricanes. Please be sensitive to those that have been directly impacted. Political threads will be deleted without notice. This is the place to come together not divide.

1. Hurricane Paloma is now a category 3 storm. At 7 p.m. Friday, 7 November, the centre of Hurricane Paloma was located near 18.9 N and 81.1 W, or 30 miles south of eastern end of Grand Cayman. Paloma is moving north-northeast at 6 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph.

Key messages:

1. Paloma is now affecting all three Cayman Islands, with tropical storm-force winds. Conditions are expected to deteriorate further.

2. Coastal areas in all three islands are at high risk from storm surge and high waves, as hurricane-force winds impact the island because of recent changes to Hurricane Paloma’s forecast path. Persons are instructed to move to the highest point in their buildings, particularly if they are in single-story buildings. Be sure to take provisions with you.

3. Little Cayman is now expected to be the most affected island. Everyone on Little Cayman should go to the shelter now, because of possible storm surge and flooding.

4. The Sister Islands can expect wave heights up to 15 to 20 feet, with a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet.

6. The expected closest point of approach to Little Cayman is 16 miles.

7. Storm surge in Grand Cayman is expected to be 4 to 6 feet, with wave heights of around 20 to 30 feet.

8. Hurricane-force winds are expected in Grand Cayman by 8:00 p.m. tonight. At this time, the centre of the system is expected to pass over Grand Cayman around midnight. As the storm centre crosses Grand Cayman, winds will become calm for 30-60 minutes, but stronger winds will return from the west to northwest. Do not go outside during this period of calm.

9. The closest point of approach for Grand Cayman is 25 miles, with maximum sustained winds of 72 mph, gusting to 90 mph. Winds are expected to drop below tropical storm-force by 7 a.m. tomorrow.

10. Persons on Cayman Brac who plan to go to shelters should go now. All other persons should stay off the roads.

11. The closest point of approach to Cayman Brac is 25 mph. Sustained winds are expected to 82 mph, gusting to 102 mph. Winds are expected to drop below tropical storm-force by 7 p.m. Sunday.

12. Cayman Islands residents should monitor all media outlets that carry local news in order to stay informed about Paloma.

Advice to local population:

1. In Cayman Brac, the Water Authority’s piped water supply will be interrupted at 7 p.m. tonight. Any customers, who have not completed their hurricane preparations by now, including the storing of water, should do so immediately.

2. There are isolated power outages on Grand Cayman.

3. At this time the NEOC advises that no major incidents have been reported.

The next JCS bulletin will be issued by 11:30 p.m. tonight (Friday, 7 November).

Amazingly we still have power in the Prospect/Marina Drive area. Unfortunately lost Internet and landline at 8:45pm last night at my house. Mobile phone service hasn't wavered at all as I'm able to post via my data connection on it.

The winds were tremendous, and brought back some of the traumatic memories of Ivan.

Right now winds quieting down, can't wait for water to be turned on. Dawn is breaking, and I can see the debris all over. Clean up time. The river that was running down Marina Drive has subsided.

My heart and prayers are with my friends and family in the Brac and Little Cayman.

I understand Bodden Town in Cumber Ave has had significant flooding. Most roads are quite clear, a few trees in streets, a few utility wires down. West Bay Road is relatively clear. I've also heard the seas are relatively calm on the west coast.

I woke up to now power around 5.30 this morning. Back at my mother's house behind the WB fire Station, power water and internet! Things on the frive didin't look bad at all. WE GOT LUCKY IN WB. Not sure what the rest of the island looks like but once I lear the hurricane supplies form the floor I'll go for a drive and have a look. Might be a wave to surf this afternoon. My thoughts are with thise in the Brac and Little Cayman right now!

Good morning - and sympathies to the Caymans - I feel for you all. Judging by how bad it is here, on the South Coast of Jamaica, miles from Cayman, I can only guess how bad it is. We are experiencing very hurricane like condiitons. The sea is frightening - very high and wild. I haven't checked but we have to hope all the fishermen are in - we didn't really have a lot of warning about Paloma so it is possible there are some left out in this. It is raining off and on with thunder and lightening. Our winds are gusty but high at times. Treasure Beach is usually a pretty dry place and it has been raining all week so there is a lot of standing water but no flooding at this time. I waited to send this until after the 7 a.m. news and there was no mention of a storm - go figure. Good luck to all.

Hi All, I just got word from the Brac that they are still having winds in excess of 100+ MPH and there is a lot of damage. The Aston Rutty Center roof did not blow off it was the Seaman’s building. I was told there is not a leaf on a try, so it sound like they had our “Ivan”. Oh…here is more text from Little Cayman….Power poles down, lines, trees, some home damage, most major resorts are okay as far as they can tell however no known fatalities. I am getting calls from Cayman Brac and too much information to type, major damage to homes, seas are washing through homes on the west and south side with sea water right through.

So much info is coming in to me by phone and they are still in high winds and sounding so scared, Winds were recorded at 6:00 am 155 MPH on Cayman Brac but I am sure we will here even more later. I can’t keep up with the calls folks, I can only say for now they are going to need help. British warship on standby south of Cayman Brac awaiting subsiding conditions to proceed in. I got to get to work and get my airplanes back to Grand Cayman as we too will be providing maximum assistance to the sister islands and I need to get my flight crew regrouped.

I will post later after what I suspect will be a very busy day.

Best regards to all and my best wishes to everyone in Brac and Little Cayman.

AT 10 AM EST...1500 UTC...THE GOVERNMENT OF CUBA HAS ISSUED AHURRICANE WARNING FOR THE CUBAN PROVINCES OF GRANMA AND HOLGUIN ANDDISCONTINUED THE HURRICANE WARNING FOR SANCTI SPIRITUS. A HURRICANEWARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE CUBAN PROVINCES OF CIEGO DEAVILA...CAMAGUEY...LAS TUNAS...GRANMA AND HOLGUIN. PREPARATIONS TOPROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

I am sure that Moses K and local Govt are now out doing full assessments so will not comment on damage - I am sure it was significant in places on the Brac and Little. Also so glad to hear that Little Cayman folks are OK and there are, as far as I know, no reported casualties on the Sister Islands.

Big TY to Chris McTaggart for offer of help in communicating - one good thing about where I work is that we have first class Back-Up Genset and excellent Data/Net/Comms links - which all worked as expected. Chris - u are much better employed getting the aircraft back in place, restoring ops ASAP and regaining soem normalcy for the Islands again.

Big thanks to District Admin for lending me a cup of sugar this morning - needed that coffee badly and it was not going to be the same without sugar - and I think also my strange request caused a little mirth and smiles - everyone I have seen so far - kids and adults, has been in remarkable humour and good spirit. I always said thast the Brackers were toughies - I am sure that we will pull together and get the place ticking over agin ASAP.

Selfishly now - I am anxious to see how my house fared but that may take a while yet due to felled trees, cables, debris etc.

MB

So far good news in terms of no deaths.Lets hope that it continues this way.Damage can be replaced but lives dont.

AT 4 PM EST...2100 UTC...THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS HASDISCONTINUED THE HURRICANE WARNING FOR GRAND CAYMAN. A HURRICANEWARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR LITTLE CAYMAN AND CAYMAN BRAC. THISWARNING COULD BE DISCONTINUED LATER TONIGHT.

AT 4 PM EST...THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BAHAMAS HAS ISSUED A TROPICALSTORM WARNING FOR THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS...INCLUDING CAT ISLAND...THEEXUMAS...LONG ISLAND...RUM CAY...SAN SALVADOR...ACKLINSISLAND...CROOKED ISLAND AND THE RAGGED ISLANDS. A TROPICAL STORMWARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHINTHE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

I've been in contact with staff at Southern Cross Club on Little Cayman. Just wanted to pass on that all structures, facilities, staff and guests at the club have weathered Paloma surprisingly well. The piers were saved (planking removed prior to the storm) and the dive boats rode out the storm in fine condition. Lost a few palm trees and some shingles, but everything is safe and sound. Guests sheltered in the bungalows with "storm coolers" of drinks and food as well as cell phones for everyone with emergency numbers loaded. They celebrated the passing of Paloma with a breakfast of Eggs Benedict. As soon as power is restored new guests will be accepted.Craig

I've been in contact with staff at Southern Cross Club on Little Cayman. Just wanted to pass on that all structures, facilities, staff and guests at the club have weathered Paloma surprisingly well. The piers were saved (planking removed prior to the storm) and the dive boats rode out the storm in fine condition. Lost a few palm trees and some shingles, but everything is safe and sound. Guests sheltered in the bungalows with "storm coolers" of drinks and food as well as cell phones for everyone with emergency numbers loaded. They celebrated the passing of Paloma with a breakfast of Eggs Benedict. As soon as power is restored new guests will be accepted.Craig